977918 In-country Language and Culture Study
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2016 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Description
This subject provides students with the opportunity to enhance their communication skills in another language as well as their intercultural awareness through an intensive short-term program at one of UTS's partner institutions worldwide. Students live in-country and undertake a three-week to four-week language program in Chinese, Japanese, Indonesian, Thai, French, German, Italian or Spanish. Students' intercultural awareness is enhanced through pre-departure workshops and reflective activities on their return to Sydney. The subject is offered in the July and Summer sessions, however the specific programs available each session may vary. Programs cater for a range of levels of language proficiency from beginner to intermediate.
Subject objectives
| A. | Communicate effectively |
|---|---|
| B. | Reflect on the behaviours and values in the host and home cultures, thereby identifying and reflecting on cultural diversity |
| C. | Learn independently |
| D. | Engage with the activities of the in-country program |
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
This subject makes a contribution to the following Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences' Graduate Attributes:
- Professional Readiness
- International and Intercultural Engagement
- Active Citizenship
- Effective Communication
Teaching and learning strategies
This subject provides an immersive learning experience in a host culture. The pre-departure workshops will allow students to work in groups to explore aspects of intercultural learning and to help prepare them for their in-country experience. During the in-country intensive program, students will participate in interactive, seminar classes focussed on developing communication skills the target language and culture. Programs include excursions and activities to provide real-life communication exchanges in the target language and help students develop intercultural knowledge. Students will also collaboratively and individually reflect on their own and other students’ experiences and learning in workshops after returning to Sydney.
Content
The subject will include content on the linguistic system and communication practices of the chosen target language. It will also include content on notions of culture and interculturality.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Completion of the in-country host institution program
| Intent: | A mandatory component of this subject is the completion of the international program of 3-4 weeks’ duration. This is a mandatory task that does not contribute to subject mark. |
|---|---|
| Type: | Exercises |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Length: | N/A |
Assessment task 2: Intercultural Experience Report
| Objective(s): | A, B, C and D | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type: | Report | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 50% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 2,000 - 2,500 words | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 3: Multimedia Presentation
| Objective(s): | A, B and C | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type: | Presentation | ||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 50% | ||||||||||||||||
| Length: | The presentation should be 3-4 minutes in length. | ||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Minimum requirements
Students must actively participate in all activities of the in-country host institution program. Attendance at the pre-departure and presentations workshops is essential in this subject because important information is only available through the essential interchange of ideas with other students and the tutor. An attendance roll will be taken at each workshop. Participation of the in-country host institution program will be monitored. Students who fail to attend 85% of classes will be refused to have their final assessment marked (see Rule 3.8).
Required texts
Students should be aware of the Policies and Procedures for Assessment of Coursework Subjects.
References
INDICATIVE REFERENCES:
The following list of references provides examples of encounters and journeys in a range of cultures:
Baldwin, J.R., Faulkner, S.L., Hecht, M.L. and Lindsley, S.L. (eds) (2006) Redefining Culture: Perspectives across the Disciplines, Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.
Bestor, T. C. (1998) Neighbourhood Tokyo, Documentary Educational Resources, Massachussetts (video documentary, in UTS Library).
Bonvillain, N. (2011) Language, Culture and Communication, 6th edn, Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Hofstede, G. and Hofstede, G.J. (1995) ‘Intercultural Encounters’ in Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind, 2nd edition, McGraw-Hill, New York, pp. 319-362.
Martin, J.N., Nakayama, T.K. and Flores, L.A. (eds) (2002) Readings in Intercultural Communication: Experiences and Contexts, 2nd edn, Boston: McGraw-Hill.
Matsumoto, D. and Hwang, H.S. (2012) ‘Nonverbal communication: The messages of emotion, action, space, and silence’, in J. Jackson (ed.) The Routledge Handbook of Language and Intercultural Communication, Abingdon: Routledge, pp. 130-47.
Pink S. (2007) ‘Walking with Video’ in Visual Studies, Vol. 22, No. 3, December 2007, (pp. 240-253), http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14725860701657142?journalCode=rvst20#preview (accessed 07 October 2011).
Scott, J. (2006) ‘God, We’re Not Immigrants! A Reflection on Moving and Staying’ in Portal Journal of Multidisciplinary International Studies, vol. 3 no. 1, pp. 1-6. Available online at: http://epress.lib.uts.edu.au/ojs/index.php/portal/article/view/150 (accessed 6 Nov 2014).
Slimbach, R. (2005) ‘The Transcultural Journey’, Frontiers. The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, vol. XI (August). Available online at: http://www.frontiersjournal.com/documents/RSlimbachFrontiersAug05.pdf (accessed 6 Nov 2014).
Sorrells, K. (2013) Intercultural Communication: Globalization and Social Justice, Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
